Mon Dec 30 01:53:15 UTC 2024: ## Prominent Former IPS Officer and Mahavir Mandir Secretary, Kishor Kunal, Passes Away
**Patna, [Date]:** Kishor Kunal, a renowned former IPS officer and secretary of the Patna Mahavir Mandir Nyas Samiti, passed away today. Kunal gained notoriety for his investigation into the Bobby murder case in 1983, a high-profile incident that shook the then Bihar government under Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra. His investigation implicated powerful figures, bringing Mishra’s position into jeopardy. However, the case was subsequently handed over to the CBI, which ultimately overturned the findings, effectively shielding those implicated.
Kunal’s book, “Daman Takshkon,” detailed the Bobby case and highlighted the influence of power in manipulating justice. The book underscored the adage, “Samrath ko nahi dosh Gusain,” (There is no fault in the powerful), a verse by Tulsidas.
Kunal, a native of Muzaffarpur, Bihar, rose through the ranks after graduating from Patna University with degrees in History and Sanskrit, and later earning a PhD in Acharya Sanskrit. He joined the IPS in 1972, serving in Gujarat before being appointed SSP of Patna. It was during his tenure as SSP that he investigated the Bobby murder.
The Bobby murder case involved the death of Shweta Nisha, the adopted daughter of the then-Chairperson of the Bihar Legislative Council, Saroj Das. Initially, the death was reported as a natural occurrence, but Kunal’s investigation, detailed in his book, revealed inconsistencies and ultimately a murder using the pesticide Malathion. His investigation implicated Raghuvardhan Jha, son of a prominent Congress leader, and a fake doctor who falsified the post-mortem report. The case became highly politicized, with accusations of the Chief Minister pressuring the police.
Facing intense pressure, and after a meeting with 40 ruling party MLAs, Chief Minister Mishra transferred the case to the CBI. The CBI subsequently declared the death a suicide resulting from a failed love affair, exonerating the accused, including Raghuvardhan Jha.
Beyond his controversial role in the Bobby case, Kunal served as Vice-Chancellor of the Bihar Culture University, administrator, and later chairman of the Bihar State Religious Trust Board. He also played a key role in the reconstruction of the Mahavir Mandir in Patna and the establishment of several charitable hospitals associated with the temple. He was also a member of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Trust, contributing significantly to the temple’s construction. His passing marks the end of a significant and controversial career in Indian public life.
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